Exercising device



May 17, 1949.- J: D. BELL 2,470,544

EXERCISING DEVICE Filed Sept. 24, 1948 Patented May 17, 1949 UNITED STATES PAT EN T OFFICE EXERGISING DEVICE Joseph 1).Bell, San Francisco, Calif.

Application September 24, 1948, Serial No. 50,983-

The present invention relates to improvements in exercising devices and has particular reference to a device of the character described in which a seat occupant raises the seat and the weight of his body by pushing forward on a set of foot pedals while the weight of his body returns the seat and the foot pedals to an initial position.

The present invention is a further development of my Pressure Drive Mechanism described in my Patent No. 2,252,156 of August 12, 1941, and also of the Exercising Machine described in my pending application, Serial No. 40,045, filed July 22, 1948, now Patent No. 2,455,518.

In the patented structure it was proposed to use a sliding wedge for raising the seat on a forward pressure on the foot pedals, and in the pending application it was contemplated to use a fixed inclined track and a seat-supporting brace for accomplishing a similar purpose, the brace being operated by the foot pedals.

In the present invention it is proposed toutilize a swingable link for guiding the seat-supporting brace in such a manner that the seat is wedged upward in response to a forwardmovemerit of the foot pedals.

It is further proposed to provide acushioning means for taking the shock at the end of the rearward movement'of the brace and for aiding in the initiation of the next forward movement.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the specification proceeds, and the novel features of my invention will be fully defined in the claims attached hereto.

The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the sole figure of which illustrates my exercising device in perspective view.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, I wish to have it understood that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims attached hereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In its preferred form my device rests on a main frame I, having cross-members 2 at the front and rear ends thereof and bent as at 3 to present a raised front section 4 and a rear section 5 disposed substantially in the plane of the two transverse members 2.

A pair of posts 6 rise from the front transverse member 2 in spaced and parallel relation, and are provided, at their upper ends, with a transverse gripping handle 1. Two bars 8 extend forward from the posts intermediate the height thereof and terminate in a bearing 9, in which 7 Claims. (Cl. 27279) 2 is supported a yoke i0 carrying a pair of foot pedals II. A cross-rod 12 connects the legs of the yoke substantially midway of their lengths.

An auxiliary frame 13 is pivoted to the main frame, rearwardly of the posts 6 by means of a bracket M, the auxiliary frame comprising two frame members l4 extending first upwardly and then rearwardly over the rear portion of the main frame. The rear end of the auxiliary frame carries a seat l5.

Mounted on the rear portion of the main frame is a second post [6 having a pair of links ll pivotally secured thereto as at I8. The-seat-supporting portion of the auxiliary frame hash-pair of links 49 suspended therefrom, and the free ends of the links H and the links 18 are interconnected as at 20.

A connecting rod 21 has its front endpivoted to the the cross-rod 1-2 of the yoke ill, andlias its rear end, in the form shown, connected to the pivot 20 which joins the two links I! and I9. However, the connecting rod 2! may be pivoted to the links Ll at other points, as at 22, depending upon results desired.

A spring 23 is suitably mounted upon thepost Hi to limit the rearwardswing of the links [1 and to serve as ashock absorber adapted to give .an impetus initiating movement in the opposite direction.

In explaining the operation it might be stated that the different movable parts are shown as being in the position occupied substantially midway of the return stroke. Continuation of the return stroke will cause the pivot 20 to move toward the post [6 on an arc defined by the links H, with the result that the links l9 swing downward, lowering the seat 15, this movement being brought about by the weight of the seat occupant.

When the seat reaches the lowermost position the links I9 strike the sprin 23 and are stopped thereby and are also urged to move in the reverse direction.

As the seat occupant presses on the foot pedals H for the forward stroke the rod 2| drags the pivot 20 forward, this pivot being forced to move along an arc defined by the links I1 and to raise the links I9, with the result that the seat I5. is lifted during the forward stroke.

It will thus be seen that on the forward stroke the seat occupant lifts himself by pushing for- While in the specification I have referred to two posts 6, two links I! and two links [9, it is apparent that individual posts and links would serve the same functions, and in defining the invention in the claims the pairs will be referred to as individual members.

It should be understood that in their general effect the links I! serve to wedge the links 19 and the seat It upward on the forward stroke of the link 2| and that this action may be broadly compared to the wedging action referred to in my patent hereinabove mentioned.

I claim:

1. An exercising device comprising an elongated main frame havin a hand-grip post at its front and a second post rearwardly thereof, a pedal yoke swlngable with respect to the frame near the front post, a seat having means for mounting the same above the second post with freedom of up and down movement, a lift link mounted for supporting the seat, a second link having one end swingably connected to the upper part of the second post, and a rod member having one end connected to the yoke, the free ends of the rod member and of the two links being interconnected to cause the second link to serve as a guide for raising the lift link and the seat on a forward movement of the yoke.

2. An exercising device comprising an elongated main frame having a hand-grip post at its front and a second post rearwardly thereof, a pedal yoke swingably supported by the frame forwardly of the front post, an auxiliary frame having a front end pivoted to the main frame rearwardly of the front post and with freedom of up and down movement and having a seat on the rear end thereof, a lift link mounted for supporting the seat, a second link having one end swingably connected to the upper part of the second post, and a rod member having one end connected to the yoke, the free ends of the rod member and of the two links being interconnected to cause the second link to serve as a guide for raising the left link and the seat on a forward movement of the yoke.

and the link being connected to form a joint adapted for raising and lowering by operation of the pedal yoke, a movable seat, and a seat operating member connected to the link.

4. An exercising device comprising an elongated frame having a hand-grip post at its front end and a second post rearwardly thereof, a pedal yoke swingably supported by the frame near the front post, a rod pivoted to the pedal yoke, a link pivoted to the second post, the rod and the link being connected to form a joint adapted for raisin and lowering by operation of the pedal yoke, a seat mounted over the rear post with freedom of swinging movement, and a seat operating member connected to the link.

5. An exercising device comprising an elongated frame having a hand-grip post at its front end and a second post rearwardly thereof, a pedal yoke swingably supported by the frame near the front post, a seat having means for mounting the same above the second post with freedom of up and down movement, a pair of links interconnected to form a joint, one of the links being pivoted to the post and the other being mounted in seat supporting relation, and a rod connecting the pedal yoke and one of the links whereby the seat is raised and lowered in response to operation of the pedal yoke.

6. An exercising device comprising an elongated frame having a hand-grip post at its front end and a second post rearwardly thereof, a pedal yoke swingably supported by the frame near the front post, a seat having means for mounting the same above the second post with freedom of up and down movement, a link mounted in seat supporting relation, a rod pivoted to the pedal yoke and to the free end of the link, and a second link pivoted to the rear post and to the first link near the free end thereof.

7. An exercising device comprising an elongated base frame having a post at its front and a second post rearward thereof, a seat member having a link connected to the same, a second link having one end connected to the first link and the other end to the second post, a foot rest member mounted on the first post and connections between the foot rest member and one of the links operable for raising the seat by the movement of the foot rest member.

JOSEPH D. BELL.

No references cited. 

